Visakhapatnam: The Andhra Pradesh health department has initiated a Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination drive aimed at adults. This anti-tuberculosis effort seeks to significantly reduce TB cases in the state, with the ultimate goal of eliminating the disease by 2025.

The first phase of the program will be rolled out in the districts of Alluri Sitarama Raju, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Krishna, Guntur, Palnadu, Nellore, Chittoor, Nandyal, YSR Kadapa, Annamayya, and Sri Sathya Sai.

State health officials have outlined that the BCG vaccine will be administered to six specific categories of people:

>> Individuals who completed TB treatment five years ago.
>> People who were in contact with TB patients and took preventive medication in 2021.
>> Diabetic individuals.
>> Smokers.
>> Those above 60 years of age with a Body Mass Index (BMI) less than 18 kg/m².
>> Other high-risk groups as identified by health officials.

The vaccination drive will be a collaborative effort between district tuberculosis control units and district immunization officers. At the grassroots level, the program will involve Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA workers), community health officers, and TB champions.

Health officials have emphasized that the BCG vaccine is safe for adults and recommended as a precautionary measure against tuberculosis.

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